Spring is here, which means now is a time for people to focus on spring cleaning. This can be especially crucial for property owners to do because failing to clean up property and make it safe could have devastating consequences for visitors.
Seasonal hazards that can require attention
Frigid temperatures, ice, snow and rain can create or conceal dangerous areas on a residential or commercial property – particularly when it comes to exterior conditions.
As the weather gets warmer, property owners will want to pay close attention to possible hazards, including:
- Uneven surfaces, including cracked walkways or potholes
- Pooling water from broken or blocked gutters
- Broken fence posts or locks
- Piles of wet leaves
- Falling roofing materials or branches
- Broken lighting in common areas
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that need new batteries
- Loose animals that may be adjusting to increased foot traffic
- Stairwells cluttered with stored winter or lawn equipment
These conditions may not seem all that dangerous, but they can cause serious accidents. People can slip, trip or fall; they can suffer bites, lacerations or toxic exposure – all from hazards that property owners can and should clear.
Visitors can keep an eye out for these situations, but the fact is that it can be unreasonable to expect someone to anticipate all the potential accidents that could occur.
Property owners should perform seasonal repairs, address worrisome landscaping and replace broken equipment before foot traffic and in-person visits – and the risk of an accident – increases.
If an accident still happens
Unfortunately, accidents can still happen. When they do, injured victims may have grounds to file a premises liability claim against a negligent property owner.
However, these can be complicated cases, so injured victims can call 814-806-2518 to speak with an attorney at the Quinn Law Firm about the legal remedies and options.
